Scots call on untested trio

Don Cowie and Barry Bannan will join David Goodwillie in making first competitive starts for Scotland in tonight's Euro 2012 qualifying match against Lithuania.

Steven Whittaker, who was suspended for Saturday's 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic, will also come into the starting line-up after Alan Hutton failed to overcome a groin strain sufficiently to keep his place.

Cowie and Bannan replace the suspended Scott Brown and injured Charlie Adam in midfield, while Goodwillie comes in for the suspended Kenny Miller up front.

The team is otherwise unchanged, which means Phil Bardsley has recovered from the dead leg that forced him off just before the Czechs netted their first equaliser on Saturday.

Scotland manager Craig Levein had already confirmed yesterday Goodwillie would make his first start after Craig Mackail-Smith's back strain left the Blackburn player as the only listed striker left in the pool.

Cardiff midfielder Cowie got his first taste of competitive action on the international stage when he came on for Adam, who has a hip injury, with 10 minutes to go to win his fifth cap.

Aston Villa midfielder Bannan, 21, had appeared in Scotland's six previous games including the Carling Nations Cup campaign before being an unused substitute against the Czechs.

The starting line-up was named on the Scottish Football Association's official website, but Levein has yet to reveal his substitutes.

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